exophoria

[valley86]

My 5 year old son was diagnosed with exophoria, as of right now he can write, read numbers and letters from all distances. Will his exophoria get worse? What are some exercises we can do at home to help strengthen the eye? You said you have exophoria, do your eyes ever go outwards or cause you any problem? What age did you find out you had exophoria. Since we caught his so early is there a chance we can strengthen the muscle enough to where it won't cause any problems?  Is a lazy eye worse then exophoria? I'm worried about my son I want him to grow up and be as smart as I know he is. Everyone I talk to has never heard of exophoria, is it as bad as I'm making it in my mind.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

No its not "too late".  I know you're concerned but try and relax a little. Your description of the problem is NOT alarming.

JCH MD

[valley86]

Thank you, my childs eyes never are misaligned and if maybe, just for a brief second but not to the point where you can tell. I could never see it before he was diagnosed. I have made my son an appointment but they can't see us until Sept. is that to late? I know he is in Gods hands and he will make sure my baby is fine.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

If you child's eye drifts out sometimes to the point that they are NOT straight for a while then that is not exophoria its intermittent exotrophia.

My exophoria has been present since I was a child and has never gotten worse.

Exercises may help control the exotrophia but doesn't cure it.

Eye muscle problems DO NOT CORRELATE with intelligence or achievemnt. This has been demonstrated in many studies. So he could still become a nuclear engineer or a physicist.

You need to discuss your concerns with your pediatric ophthalmologist.

jHC MD